Analysis: Marin Clean Energy's efforts would cut emissions more than other measures

Critics of Marin Clean Energy have suggested that it would be more cost-effective to reduce Marin's greenhouse emissions by focusing on energy conservation programs and solar panel installations.

They also note that only about 25 percent of Marin's greenhouse gas emissions are caused by electricity use, while cars and other vehicles account for 62 percent of the emissions.

Prior to the formation of the Marin Energy Authority, the county of Marin compared Marin Clean Energy's potential for cutting greenhouse gases to existing alternatives. These included: changes in county building codes that require the use of energy-saving designs and equipment; Marin Energy Watch Partnership, a program funded by California utility ratepayers that provides resources and incentives to help residents and businesses become more energy-efficient; low-interest government loans to homeowners and small businesses for energy-efficiency programs and solar panels made possible by passage of AB 811; and the installation of solar panels on government buildings throughout Marin.

All of these efforts combined would cut Marin's greenhouse gas emissions by just 17,908 tons per year by 2019, the analysis showed. That compares with between 237,374 tons per year and 534,000 tons per year under Marin Clean Energy.

John Dalessi, a director in Navigant Consulting's energy practice, said Marin Clean Energy's biggest cuts in greenhouse gases would come with construction of its own renewable electricity generation projects.

Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan, who serves as chairman of the Marin Energy Authority board, said, "The elegance of Marin Clean Energy is that it takes no general fund, taxpayer money. In a pain-free manner for ratepayers, we redirect revenue and get an enormous reduction in greenhouse gas."